Earlier Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that Surkov can leave his post in the near future. Mikhail Babich, the current presidential envoy in Volga federal district, is the most likely candidate to replace Surkov by the end of this week, the interlocutor said.

The source added that since the beginning of the year, Surkov 'ceased to work' in the area of social and economic cooperation with the CIS member states, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The interlocutor also says that Putin may sign decrees that foresee changes in the line-up.